Stillroom Skills - one full day, £175 per person or £325 for a group of up to four friends

The stillroom was an important part of the traditional country home, and was a working room that functioned as part infirmary and part kitchen. The lady of the house, her daughters, maids and wards produced soap, candles, shampoos, home-cleaning products, cosmetics, jams, jellies, preserves, home-brewed drinks, salves and ointments. They used the flowers, fruit and herbs grown in their own garden along with ingredients from the professional herbalist or apothecary shop to produce what was needed to feed and heal their families and keep their homes and furnishings bright and fresh.

I have drawn on my own training in aromatherapy, herbalism and product-making to revisit the skills of the stillroom and teach them to students today.

The course is a wonderful way of reconnecting with nature in a rural location and learning how to use natural ingredients to make cosmetics, home care products such as pot pourri and candles and remedies to help maintain wellbeing. There is great satisfaction in making a flower-perfumed salve to keep your skin or lips smooth, producing an aromatic massage candle as a birthday gift or wrapping your own handmade soap to store and use during the year ahead.

You will learn about a group of herbs which were traditionally used every day in cooking, preserving and making remedies, and find out about infusions, tinctures and flower remedies produced from them. You will explore the aromas and properties of some essential oils which are perfect for making stillroom products, and learn how to make your own blends for wellbeing and enjoyment. Most importantly, you will make several different products and you will take home the treats you have made along with full notes on the essential oils and herbs, the extra ingredients you have used, instructions on the methods and recipes used to make the products.

This is a good introduction to herbs, essential oils and product-making, and you will be able to make products for your own enjoyment and for creative gifting after the Stillroom Skills day. When you get home, all you need is space in your kitchen, and glass and stainless steel equipment to mix, blend and warm your ingredients.

If you want to learn more, then I teach a full Aromatherapy Massage course which includes Anatomy & Physiology, Professional Standards, Aromatherapy Theory (including blending) and full Body Massage. This is insurable for professional practice and accredited by the Guild of Holistic Therapists/Beauty Guild.

ESSENTIAL OILSLearn about the properties of a group of essential oils for stillroom products Enjoy blending the essential oils to create your own fragrancesLearn about how essential oils can promote wellbeing and healthFind out how to use essential oils in the home Enjoy using essential oils to make creams, candles, soap and other stillroom products

FLOWER REMEDIESShort history (Dr Bach and later makers of flower remedies)How flower remedies are producedFlower remedies and the Doctrine of SignaturesUsing flower remedies in stillroom products

PRACTICAL WORK We will make a minimum of three stillroom products using herbs, essential oils and flower remedies. We will package and present the items attractively to take home for your own enjoyment or as gifts.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK A STILLROOM SKILLS DAY, then please email me to arrange your date. Come alone or with a group of up to three friends.

Couples Massage - one couple per course, £150 to teach one partner, £195 to teach both.

Would you like to know how to massage your partner? Would they like to improve their technique when massaging you? With this Body Massage for Couples workshop you can discover how to give a wonderful body massage safely to your partner. By the end of this fun and informal day you will be able to perform a confident and effective basic massage routine on your partner. Come and learn basic massage techniques in a casual, comfortable setting. In this class we will learn how to give and receive a massage without hurting or annoying your loved one. We will focus on arms, legs, shoulders and back, and the feet and hands are included too. During the course you will learn how to warm up the body and get the circulation going, to relax both the muscles and the mind. Therapeutic strokes encourage the deeper muscle tissues to release built-up tension, stress and toxins, thus enabling deeper relaxation.

Massage is wonderful for decreasing stress and uplifting spirits. This couples massage workshop is dedicated to teaching one or both of you how to help relieve each other’s aches and pains. This is an ideal way to spend some quality time together. We only ever teach one couple at a time, so you will be completely comfortable. You will receive comprehensive documentation to take home, and notes for a great full body massage routine. Have fun and learn something new!

PLEASE NOTE: Not suitable for pregnant women.

Introduction to Holistic Massage £150 per person - come with a friend and pay £195 together!

Introduction to Holistic Massage - book a one to one course to learn basic full body massage techniques. You will need to come with a model (man or woman, in basic good health). Cost is £150 - contact me to arrange your class.

Our Holistic (Swedish) Body Massage Workshop is a holistic massage taster for beginners, and is designed for anyone from complete novices to professional therapists who need a refresher massage course. It’s perfect for those who want to learn about body massage and how to perform the basic movements and sequence without having to commit to a fully accredited qualification. This course is the ideal springboard should you wish to go on to study Swedish or Holistic full body massage. By the end of this fun and informal day you will be able to perform a confident and effective basic massage routine on your partner, family and friends, and you will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.

Holistic (also known as Swedish) Massage involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue (i.e. the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments) using the hands in a gentle, flowing massage technique that uses varying degrees of pressure and stretching movements. It is most commonly used for relaxation, improving well-being and lymphatic drainage.

Introduction to Holistic Body Massage Course Benefits:◦Easy and fun to learn◦We provide the couch, towels and oils required◦This course awarded 11 CPD (Continuous Professional Development) points.◦A qualification in anatomy and physiology is not required.◦Price includes your certificate of attendance, comprehensive course notes and tea, coffee and biscuits during the break.◦Small, friendly and informal.◦Individual attention throughout the class.

Couples Reflexology - £150 to teach one partner, £195 for both

Reflexology for Couples - reflexology is a relaxing and balancing therapy you can use on yourself, or share with your partner and friends. Only one couple per course - £150 to teach one, £195 to teach both. You will learn a basic treatment of the whole foot, along with simple massage techniques to warm the foot and to finish the treatment. Beautiful reflexology balms are used. Contact me to arrange your exclusive course date!

Reflexology is a treatment you can share easily with your partner, with your friends and with your children too! You can even work on your own feet and hands to bring relaxation and harmony.

This one-day workshop is for couples and you will be the only people on the course on that day. It is a lovely chance to spend time together, sharing a wonderful way to improve your sense of well-being and balance.

You will learn how to give a basic reflexology treatment to the whole foot, including massage and work on specific reflex points to bring balance and optimum function to the energies of the organs and tissues of the body. The treatment is deeply relaxing, and you will use beautiful natural balms to carry out your sessions.

The workshop includes:◦ Preparing the feet for reflexology - foot pamper◦Basic foot massage techniques to warm up the foot◦Reflex points to release stress, tension and toxins◦Reflexology balms and how to find them◦Using reflexology with your children - some dos and don'ts

You will receive a full set of course notes to help you use your reflexology skills when you get home, and an attendance certificate to remind you of your day.

This workshop is a good way to learn the basics of reflexology and to try out the therapy if you are thinking of learning it more seriously.

Perfect Manicure at Home - a half-day course £125 per person

Half-day Manicure & Pedicure courses - learn how to care for your nails, and those of your family and friends.

Do you want to learn how to do a manicure? Learn the art of manicure, and how to recognise disorders of the nails and hands. Our comprehensive half-day Manicure Diploma course will also teach you how to give a wonderfully relaxing hand and arm massage, and how to provide an expert manicure. You will learn to give basic, mid-range and deluxe manicures. On this course paraffin and hot oil are not used as they can be messy!

What's included:◦Hygiene, health and safety◦Relevant anatomy and physiology◦Products and equipment required on the course◦Contraindications to treatment◦Manicure treatment, including hand and arm massage◦French and coloured varnishing.◦Aftercare

Perfect Pedicure at Home - £125 per person

Learn the art of pedicure, and how to recognise disorders of the nails and feet. Our comprehensive half-day course will also teach you how to give a wonderfully relaxing foot and leg massage, and how to provide an expert paint job. Students will learn to give basic, mid-range and deluxe manicures. On this course paraffin and hot oil are not used as they can be messy - we prefer to use cosy foot warmers.

What's included:◦Hygiene, health and safety◦Relevant anatomy and physiology◦Products and equipment required on the course◦Contraindications to treatment◦Pedicure treatment, including foot and leg massage.◦French and coloured varnishing.◦Aftercare

Luxury Head Massage - £125 per person

Half-day Luxury Head Massage with warmed oils

Head massage is a wonderfully relaxing, soothing and nurturing experience, and when you add warmed natural oils it turns into a treat for your skin, hair and scalp too. Your receive the Luxury Head Massage with Warmed Oils lying cuddled up on the couch, with optional warm mittens and bootees (nice on a cold winter’s day).

That said, this is a wonderful treatment for hair which is frazzled from sun, sea and swimming pools - I originally created it for clients on holiday in the Mediterranean, who came in with exhausted hair and itchy scalps!

During the Luxury Head Massage with Warmed Oils the head is gently massaged and kneaded, and the movements continue down the neck, shoulders and upper arms to relieve stress, tension and everyday aches and pains. The massage finishes with movements to the face to relax lines and wrinkles away. The treatment is gentle, and you can add essential oils in a burner along with mood music to help slide gently into total relaxation. The oils used are natural cold-pressed vegetable oils selected for their hair conditioning qualities.

At a physical level, head massage brings gentle stimulation to the muscles and soft tissues of the head, neck and shoulders and this will boost circulation in the area, soothe the nervous system, iron out areas of tension and encourage lymphatic drainage.

Luxury Foot and Leg Massage - a half-day course £125 per person

Feet get walked on, stood on, tucked under a desk at work and generally made use of! No wonder they complain and demand some rest and recuperation! This half-day course will show you how to pamper the feet and lower legs, relieving aches and pains and helping to reduce swelling.

You will use natural vegetable oils, specialist foot balm and massage cream and you will choose which products you like best. We explain where to buy them for your own use at home.

During the Luxury Foot and Leg Massage, your will stroke and knead the feet, rotate the ankle, stroke up and massage the leg up to the knee and bring the whole treatment together at the end with some gentle energy work. This is a gentle treatment, and you can enhance the experience by adding essential oils in a burner, lighting a candle and playing your partner’s favourite relaxing music.

At a physical level, foot and leg massage gentle stimulates the muscles and soft tissues of the leg and foot, brings improved flexibility to the ankle, and eases everyday aches and pains. Circulation to the area is boosted, and the massage will soothe the nervous system, iron out tension and encourage lymphatic drainage which aids swollen feet and legs.

Luxury Hand and Arm Massage - a half-day course £125 per person

Half-day Luxury Hand and Arm and Luxury Foot and Leg courses - learn relaxing massage to help your family and friends

Everyone you see is busy checking texts, sending messages, typing, driving, carrying shopping or children or even knitting! Hands and arms get tired, achy, start begging us for some tender loving care. This half-day course will teach you a relaxing routine to use with your partner, family and friends – or even for yourself! Natural oils, aromatic balms and specialist massage cream are introduced to you and you choose which products you would like to use. We explain where to buy them for your own use at home.

During the Luxury Hand and Arm Massage, your partner’s hand is gently stroked and kneaded, the fingers are gently stretched, the wrist rotated and loosened and then the movements continue up the arm, circling carefully around the elbow. You finish with some gentle energy work to relax your partner and enhance their sense of well being. The treatment will help to relieve stress, tension and everyday aches and pains. The treatment is gentle, and you can add essential oils in a burner along with mood music to help your client slide gently into total relaxation.

At a physical level, hand and arm massage brings gentle stimulation to the muscles and soft tissues of the hand and arm, and this will boost circulation in the area, soothe the nervous system, iron out areas of tension and encourage lymphatic drainage.

Reiki 1, a one-day course £150 per person or £195 for two with a partner or friend!

Anyone can learn Reiki as it takes no special gifts, just training and attunement. We have taught Reiki to people of all backgrounds, and both men and women are welcome on all our courses.

Reiki 1 is an introductory course and on completion of your training you will be able to treat yourself, friends and family. Reiki 1 (Shoden) explores what Reiki is and how to treat yourself and others. Some students learn just this level of Reiki and find it a blessing in their daily lives as well as a good way to help their families and loved ones.

During the Reiki 1 course we look at the background and history of Reiki and focus on the Japanese and Buddhist roots of this beautiful practice. You will learn lots of fascinating facts about the life of Dr Usui, the founder, and about Buddhist and Japanese meditation, mindfulness and healing. You will hear the wonderful story about how Reiki made the journey from Japan to western countries and how Reiki has grown in its homeland.

You will learn how to work on your own healing needs. The Reiki standard hand positions are demonstrated and we practise together until you are confident with them. We explore methods of connecting to Reiki, and you will learn techniques such as hatsurei ho, gassho, the 'Reiki shower' and much more. During the course you will receive several Reiki empowerments and attunements and will have the opportunity to share your experiences and feelings.

When you are ready, we start working with each other. You will learn to focus on your intuition and feel the movement of energy (Byosen) which tells you where and how to place your hands. There is time for discussion and reflection. We take the time to meditate and explore our own experiences with Reiki.

The course is accredited with Professional Ethical Practitioners, although you will need to take Reiki 2 Okuden in order to practise Reiki on the public. The first level is suitable for working on your own healing and spiritual development, and on your friends and family.

Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage Course - half a day, £125

Half-day Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage courses

This course is suitable for all students including beginners, as all the Anatomy & Physiology you need is included in the course notes. It is insurable for professional practiceYou will learn a couch-based massage of the back, neck and shoulders using natural oils and massage creams which will bring deep relaxation to the client, help release aches and pains and help improve the condition of the skin.

You will try out and blend a range of natural vegetable oils and learn about the different skin types. This will enable you to offer bespoke massage oil options to suit your clients.

This is a fantastic introduction to holistic massage for beauty therapists as it offers one of the most popular salon massage treatments.

Start with this option, and if you enjoy the course then go on to do your full Anatomy & Physiology and choose from our Holistic, Aromatherapy or Ayurvedic full body massage options!